Cybersecurity Expert Ori Segal Explores Dark Web's Criminal Underbelly

A recent i24NEWS report, "Innov'Nation," led by Lyn Plagmeijer, Rotem Feldner, and Shani Guidalia, delves into the hidden criminal aspects of the dark web, featuring insights from Ori Segal, co-founder and CEO of cybersecurity firm Cyvore. Segal explains the internet's structure, differentiating between the open web, the deep web (requiring authentication), and the dark web, which necessitates specialized tools like the Tor browser.

Access to dark web sites, often ending in ".onion," is not through traditional search engines but via peer-to-peer sharing, particularly through encrypted messaging. Tor, originally developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory for secure communications, anonymizes users by routing connections through multiple relays, making identification difficult. However, this anonymity is exploited by criminal networks.

Segal showcased clandestine markets on the dark web offering stolen data, credit cards, fake IDs, and personal information. Some sites even provide services for direct harm to individuals. Seller reputations are built on customer reviews, though Segal cautions that these are unreliable due to prevalent scams. The report also highlighted platforms selling intimate photos and videos of celebrities, often obtained through phone or account hacking, extending to revenge porn and the sale of stolen private data.

More disturbingly, Segal revealed pages claiming to offer access to "red rooms" where live sexual violence is streamed, with viewers able to pay to influence events. The authenticity of such services is highly questionable, with many likely being scams. Law enforcement and cybersecurity experts are continuously developing methods to track down dark web criminals, and Segal strongly advises ordinary users against exploring the dark web due to the significant risks involved.